Maya

They both simultaneously looked towards the direction the second three came from, and both their jaws dropped to the ground from what they saw.

A young girl with curly hair and freckles stood menacingly by the tree-line. She was staring at colin with pure hatred in her eyes. In her hands held another tree high over her head like it was a prized trophy. She looked like an ant compared the the massive oak three she was holding, making her a rare sight to see.

"Who in the hell is th- Ah!!" Colin had to quickly avoid another tree from hitting him the moment he opened his mouth and spoke. It was like she was waiting for him to say something before trying to kill him again.

He was honestly more confused than he had ever been in his entire life, and it showed clearly on his face.

"That kid.. just lifted up a tree like it was nothing! How is that possible!? Mariella, tell me how is that possible??"

He looked over at her in utter disbelief, his jaw practically touching the ground. He couldn't figure out why, but she didn't share his shock in the slightest. The normally expressionless Mariella was staring at the intruder with a big and bright smile across her face! This only made him even more confused by the second and even more terrified.

[Why is she looking at the Monster Tree Girl like she's some sort of long lost sister? Does she know her? And WHY IS SHE TRYING TO KILL ME?]

Collin was at a lost for words. Never in his life had he ever been in such a strange situation before, and the scene that played out infront of him only made him even more confused then before. His brain almost stopped working all together.

Mariella locked eyes with this curly headed intruder and both girl's faces lit up like the sun in the sky, both ecstatic to see eachother.

"Maya?"

"Mariella? Mariella! I've missed you so much!"

Maya's eyes filled with tears of joy as she rushed across the clearing and engulfed Mariella into a bear-hug.

The poor girl was practically bawling into her arms like a toddler, while Mariella calmly soothed her by patting her hair like she was her mother.

Looking at such a sweet child crying in her arms made Mariella's heart melt instantly. She was touched that she would go so far to find her, and disappointed with herself for not going to see her sooner. She internally admitted her guilt and decided right then that she would never leave anyone without saying anything like she did ever again.

She made her voice to be as calm and soothing as she could as she tried to appease the crying Maya bawling into her chest.

"Shush now, there's no need for you to cry. You're too pretty to cry like this." she smiled sweetly and continued to affectionately pat her head.

Maya looked up at her, her face red and stained with snot and tears.

"But,But,but how could I not c-cry? You d-d-disappeared! How could you leave me like that? Waaahhhh~"

Her heart wrenched from the girls words. She was right. There was no denying her wrong doings in this. She felt a strong sense of guilt welp up in her heart.

Mariella looked back down at Maya with sad affection in her eyes, and gently cupped her freckled cheeks in her hands.

"I'm sorry for leaving you. I was wrong to do so. I won't do such a thing ever again, you have my word."

Maya tears seemed to instantly vanish into thin air, as if she was never upset in the first place. She then threw her tiny body around her even tighter and excitedly jumped up and down while laughing like a child.

"Haha! Good! It's a promise then. Where ever you go, you have to take me with you next time!"

Over to the side, Collin was still silently observing the scene play out infront of him. He began to seriously question his own intelligence, because he still completely lost.

All he knew was that little girl, who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old, PULLED A TREE OUT OF THE GROUND AND THREW IT AT HIM. Not just once, but several times. One after the other with no signs of a struggle at all. Nothing could mentally prepare him for this Monstrous Tree Girl's entrance today.

Because he felt this situation was above his degree of understanding, he decided to not think about it any long. If she wasn't going to make him tree fertilizer, then all was good. Might as well try and get along with her since she was clearly close to his beautiful goddess.

He timidly walked his was over to the two girls and held up a hand in greeting, his face still slightly green from briefly losing his mind earlier.

"Umm.. Hi. I'm Collin, Mariella's elder brother apprentice. Welcome to our home. "

Maya gave him a side long glance, and clicked her tongue. She wasn't even trying to mask her resentment for the boy. In fact, If looks could kill then he would long be dead by now.

"Who asked you? Go away, don't you see me and MY sister are having a moment?"

Both Mariella and Collin were caught off guard hearing such an unexpected cold tone coming from such a sweet looking little girl.

Mostly Mariella. She had never heard her speak to anyone like this. She was always so kind and well mannered before! What in the world could of possibly gotten into her to speak in such a rude way?

Collin was also at lost for words but quickly tried to recover by laughing it off. There was no point in taking the words of a child too seriously. He wouldn't start to panic unless she went for another tree.

"Haha.. Well, I guess you have a point there. how about I go in and prepare us all some tea?" He looked at Mariella lovingly before continuing his words. "Take your time, and catch up with your friend. I'll let Master know we have a guest and we'll start dinner as well."

Mariella smiled at him meaningfully and nodded her head in appreciation. For a guy that severely lacked social interactions, he always knew exactly what to say to ease any situation. Maybe it was his God given gift? She didn't know for sure, but she was thankful for it regardless.

As Collin made his retreat to the hut, Maya stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry behind his back.

"Who was that guy anyway? Why does he get to be your brother apprentice?" Maya pouted her lips and crossed her arms pitifully as if she had been greatly wronged.

"He told you his name before, its Collin." She corrected. "We share the same Master so naturally he is my brother apprentice." She looked at her pouting expression with one eyebrow lifted, slowly putting the pieces together. Was this girl jealous over Colin?

"Humph! So what. He shouldn't get so close to you. He dosen't stand a chance with you!"

"That's not true. He's quite the talented mage. So far he has won the most matches when we spar so it's really me who doesn't stand much of a chance." Her voice was calm and nonchalant, completely misunderstanding what she really meant.

Maya looked at her questionably for a moment, then changed her expression back to her playful and cheery self. If she didn't understand what she meant, then that had to mean that she didn't have feelings for that pretty boy! That meant no one was about to steal her treasured friend from her! Then her world was finally back in order, and she could go back to her normal self without worry.

"Haha I see! That's good then! hahaha!"

She quickly linked her arm with Mariella's and started to happily skip towards the hut as if nothing at all happened and they had just been on a simple walk.

Suddenly Mariella thought of something that truly puzzled her. Wasn't there supposed to be a magic barrier around the hut and this clearing meant to keep out intruders? How did Maya get through it?

"Say, Maya.. did you have to pass a barrier in order to get in side here?"

Maya thought for a second and brought one finger innocently to her chin.

"Hmmmm... was that a blue shimmery wall like thing?"

"That sounds like it."

"Oh, then I punched it and it broke. I'm sorry. Was it expensive? I didn't mean for it to break so badly, I just wanted to make a small hole!"

[You punched a magical barrier made from a Grand Master mage with your bare hands.. and broke it? Master is going to shit her pants when she see's this.]

Mariella wasn't really too surprised. She knew the seemingly endless strength that Maya some how possessed.

Though it was alittle shocking for her to have little to no problem destroying such and advanced spell, she knew Maya wouldn't be lying. She had once again amazed her beyond words.

" I see... Once we go inside, you should apologize properly to my Master. She's the one who put it up, so she will most likely be sad it's broken."

Maya nodded her head apologetically. If that was what Mariella said to do, then it was the right thing and she would listen.

[I hope master doesn't have a heart attack from this.. she is quite old after all.]